Personal Narrative: Pilot Fish

The ocean is a beautiful sanctuary not only for the animals that coexist within it, but also for people that spend more time in the water than on land. There are instances where the sea can represent a wide array of emotions such as respect, fear, and adventure. To me the ocean water is nothing less than a second home on the grounds that it reminds me so much of my home with emotions such as compatibility, fighting and peace coursing through the currents.
Underwater life wouldn’t work without some compatibility amongst the sea creatures, just like at home without general cooperation the house would be chaotic. Naucrates Ductor otherwise known as Pilot Fish have established a profession that surrounds eating parasites clinging to sharks. In return for their service the shark does not consume them at dinner time. This partnership is found in the house as well. When my siblings and I are rough housing at home and end up breaking something, we partner up and conspire on how to avoid punishment, sometimes it works and somethings it doesn’t. Just like the compatibility of sea life siblings don’t always get along and that corporation can transform into something nasty. It wouldn’t be referred to as the wild if there wasn’t blood involved at some point. While most marine life can live in harmony there are times when appetites need
replenishing. One of the Tiger Sharks favorite meal is Sea Turtle and for most of the time there is a cautious respect for one another, but then there are those times that the Shark needs to eat. This prompts the fight or flight reaction within the turtle and predatory instinct within the shark that can lead to combat between the two species. These circumstances also arise in a family household, although the blood is kept to a minimum. Siblings sometimes walk a very thin line of getting along and one move can push someone over the edge. Sometimes it’s arguing about chores or battling over a toy; no matter what the case, there are situations which can cause siblings to argue. Whether its sea rivals locked in a duel to the death or two siblings quarreling over which movie to watch there won’t always be peace in the ocean or on land.
The ocean water itself brings peace to some underwater scenes.
When admiring a coral reef in the middle of the day there is a calming sensation about being there. The fish and sharks are resting which establishes a peace amidst predator and prey. Then the water current slowly creates movement in the coral giving the sense of a calm harmony. In a family this is rare time but also a memorable one; it will only occur when the entire family is together engaging in the same activity, for instance watching a movie or going out to a formal restaurant. This sense of peace is short-lived in the ocean and in the house but cherished all the
same. Overall the ocean is like home to me; not just because of how the events that take place at home and in the water have some similarity, but also because the water itself has a safe ambience surrounding it just like a house does. So whether the ocean feels like being compatible, fighting or creating peace it will always be home because that’s all I’ve ever known and treasured.